Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp clearly has a stellar relationship with Reds legend Steven Gerrard nowadays and even once claimed the midfield maestro would be the one player he wishes he could have managed at Anfield.
With that being said, Klopp did go on to admit that if he was asked that same question six years prior, he'd have opted for a different answer. However, having got to know Gerrard and seen him play up close in a training match, it was that exchange that swung it in the ex-England international's favour in the eyes of the Liverpool manager.
Pressed for comment on the one former Reds player he wished he'd got the chance to coach by This is Anfield, Klopp responded: "That's easy. It's Stevie.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss proceeded to recall the time he witnessed Gerrard's technical prowess up close during a friendly match in pre-season, by which time the Reds icon had already called time on his playing career.
Klopp added: "Stevie and me together in the roles, he as the man on the pitch and me as a coach that would have been nice. So it's Stevie. Six years ago it would have been a different answer but now I'm here and I know him as a person and as a player so that's now an easy answer."
The pair appear to have grown even closer in the years that have followed, with Klopp admitting he reached out to Gerrard in light of him being dismissed from his post as Aston Villa manager.
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After less than 12 months at the helm at Villa Park, Gerrard's tenure was brough to an end following a miserable 3-0 defeat by Fulham at Craven Cottage that saw the travelling faithful turn on him with chants of 'you're getting sacked in the morning'.
Their taunts were actually optimistic, with Gerrard failing to make it back to the Midlands before he was relieved of his duties.
Klopp discussed his private message with the Liverpool legend during his press conference the following day.
"We had a little exchange this morning and I don't think we have to worry about Stevie, it's all about how you respond to setbacks and there's no doubt he'll come back from that," the German explained.
"He will be back 100 per cent but I hope now he takes a bit of time because since he ended his career, he was pretty much working all the time. Hopefully, he will use it to recharge."
The fact that Klopp reached out to Gerrard so soon after the lowest point of his managerial career is a testament to the strong relationship the two of them share despite having never officially worked together.
